The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-08-03
A LAUGHING FAMILY.
a PASSING STRANGE STORY FROM
NEW JERSEY.

N'"
Family with II Peculiar DIaiady--Lnugh
ing in Church and at Odd Times ant
Placcs--Curious Stories Told by PcopI,
Passing By.
New York, July 28.-Thc story ol
jerseys laughing family is certainly ono
of the oddest that evor reached the oars
OF correspondent. That family will
such n peculiar malndy, and ono SC
seemingly interesting to tho medical
profession, should have lived so long in
a State pretty well populated without
getting into the newspapers, except in a
brief and remote way years ago, is de.
cidcdly strange. The family reside in a
large, substantial house, not far from
the Delaware river in Huntcrdon coun-
ty. The father and sons arc farmers
and prosperous and woll to do. The On
tire family arc chronic laughors, having
an affection of the muscles of the mouth
and throat that compcls them to give
won't to apparent mcrrimcnt at stated in
tcrvals. The malady first appeared in
the lather about dozon years ago He
was usually very quiet man, enjoying
FUN, but maniIcsting his enjoyment with
out much noise. He was seated at the
dinner table ono day III the spring of
the year, eating steadily and not cngag-
ing III any Ot the conversation which the
other members Of the family were carry
ing on. Suddenly, without any cause,
he burst INTO loud fit of laughter so
extremely different from his accustomed
laugh that ali were attracted by it ut
once. When asked what was the reason
OF his sudden outburst he made no re-
ply, but continued his mcrrimcnt Some
o. the boys thought he had Mysteries,
and pounded him on .ho back, but it
dlu no good. After few moments he
made motions Tor pencil and paper, and
wrote that he was unable to control his
rlsiblCs, and asked them to send for n
doctor.
The rural physician came, but could
give no remedy thai stopped the laugh
ter, Peal aftcr peal OF what sounded
like the hcartlcst kind of fun came from
Inn, and nothing would avail to provcnt
it, The doctor finally came to tho con-
clusion that he was tho victim OF n
nervous attack, and, leaving a nervino
departed.
SINGULAR TROUBLE.
Tho father continued laughing until
about sunuown, when he su idcnly
stopped and fell on the floor completely
prostratcd. lie soon grew better, how
ever, ate Lcarty supper, and spent the
evening much as usual. No signs OF the
return OF the trouble appearing, he won't
to bed and was soon fast asleep. Along
about : o'clock, however, his was awak-
cncd by lis laughter, and tho same
symptoms MS Of tho day before LIani-
Tested themselves. llo Kept it up until
I o'clock, laughing loud and strong. At
O'Clock the noise suddenly ceased and
Gid not return again until dinner time.
Thus 1t continued recurring each day
shortly after noon and in tho night about
Z clock, and has every since. AS the
weeks passed ho grew so accustomed to
the disease that he was caused worry little
Inconvenience by it. lie did not get
tired out, as at first, and soon was able
to so about his work sowing seed and
planting corn, digging vegetables and
watering the cottlc-whilc laughing i'm
moderately. lie could not talk while
under one of the spells, but carried q
slato :?!d pencil around with him, after
the fashion OF deaf and dumb percon.
The trouble was very regular in its
coming AMI going, and only occasionally
broke forth nj unlookcd-for seasons.
OncO tho Old man was takon in church,
Just when the minister was oXhorting his
hearers III the most solemn strains, and
spoiled the effect Of the discourse, be-
sides disturbing tho equilibrium of tho
Clergyman. Another timo he was found
by one OF his ncighbors along the road,
lying beneath q bag of flour, laughing at
Il terrific rate. He has been taken while
driving home from the mill, and the
suddcnncss of the sounds frightened the
horse, causing it to run away and dump
the man ana part oi his load out in tho
road.
Fox eighteen months the father was
the only ono Of tho household afflicted
with the maIady. Several of them had
complained from time to timo of an in
clination to join the father in the laugh,
but mono of them did SO until noerlY two
years after he wa9 ta,:cn, wnen Susie,
the yoangcat child, suddenly burst into
similar tit during one of her fathers
attacks.
From that time on she has laughed at
about tho same hours that Lor iathor
does. ccc W one the remaining mcm-
Ders fell victims to the strange com
plant, until two years ago there was but
one loft free and that was Charles, the
eldest son. His loag exemption led him
t2 believe ho would escape tho malady.
But he was mistaken, and it is said hc
Ind his first attack While proposing for
the henJ oI gri at Wilkesbarre, Pa
30 frightened was the maiden by
Charles's queer behavior that she run
from tho room, and it was week before
the proper explanation could induce her
to SEQ him again. Shp 10 now ono of
the fcnai;y and escaping the malady
aeFer minds the hideous chorus Of
laughter which twice q day resounds
through tho house. 1t is regarded as
odd that mono of the neighnors should
have caught tho Infection, although
many Of thcm minglo constantly with
the family.